McDonald’s is facing a class action lawsuit because of their Happy Meal toys
By Callum Gunn
A class action lawsuit is what McDonald’s faces thanks to their Happy Meal toy marketing; something which the fast food chain is not allowed to do.
A Quebec Superior Court has approved the go-ahead for a class action lawsuit to be brought against fast food giants McDonald’s. The fast food chain has been accused of marketing to children, a practice that has been banned in the Canadian province for over a decade.
Under the Quebec Consumer Protection Act, commercial advertising to children under the age of 13 years old is illegal. McDonald’s Canada broke this law by advertising their Happy Meal toys at a child’s eye level.
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McDonald’s is the only fast food restaurant that adopts this type of advertising practice in the province. With the class action now being approved by the court, anybody who visited one of the 300 McDonald’s restaurants in Quebec can join the lawsuit, provided they either bought a Happy Meal, or just the Happy Meal Toy, for someone under the age of 13 from Nov. 15, 2013.
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Seeking punitive damages and compensation, the lawsuit is also seeking a stop to the advertising practice by McDonald’s.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s Canada has come forward regarding the class action lawsuit. Explaining that they are fully aware of the regulations imposed by Quebec when it comes to advertising, the spokesperson made it clear that an examination will be undertaking, but after an initial review, they don’t believe the class action has any merit.
What do you think about McDonald’s Canada being taking to court in Quebec? Drop a comment below with your thoughts.